I often say that the most interesting people I have met are through our Brits in LA community – I can’t quite put my finger on it but there is something very unique about those of you that I have had the pleasure of interacting with. I have formed friendships that will last forever and I know many of you have too.
Two of the qualities that come to mind are adventurous and brave – for upping sticks and starting a new life on a different continent. It’s so easy to get stuck in a rut and stay there indefinitely, as it is scary to make a change. Not that it doesn’t happen once you get here, but at least you’ve made the first step.
Also…creative – many of you work in the arts but even those of you that don’t, come across as people who have a different outlook on the world and are up for anything; whether it be putting together amazing costumes for one of our events, sharing your ideas on our Facebook forum or exploring ways to improve your life, whether it be travel, therapy, yoga, attending concerts or sailing in you spare time. I could go on, but I think those of you who have lived here long enough know what I mean and also have friends and relatives in the UK who daydream about a more fulfilling life but get put off when they realize the risks they will have to take.
For example: Annabel first contacted me back in 2016 as she and her husband Thom were playing with the idea of moving to LA. They had spent the last 26 years in Birmingham and decided it was now or never… They finally decided to make the leap in 2020. Unfortunately, their arrival coincided with the news that Covid was spreading and thus there would be a nationwide lockdown – which is probably one of the worst times to move to a new country, start a new life and make new friends..
Thom is a magician and already had shows lined up at the prestigious Magic Castle and Annabel is an incredible cake maker, although that is a huge understatement. Check out her work at www.conjurerskitchen.com and see if you can come up with a more fitting description.
As you can imagine due to their line of work it was a particularly difficult period, but they soldiered on looking forward to the day they could finally begin the California life they had been dreaming of.
Thankfully towards the end of 2021 things started to open up a bit – business was picking up, the sun was always shining both literally and figuratively reminding them both why they had made such an epic move. Roll on to April 2nd, 2022. Thom got exceedingly sick and was rushed to hospital. The doctors found a Stage 4 brain tumor and surgery was scheduled to remove it on April 5th. You can’t help but wonder how long they would have been waiting to be seen if they had stayed in England… the surgery was followed by rounds of radiation and chemo which whilst exhausting seemed to be working. So it came as quite a shock when I learned earlier this week that the doctors have run out of treatment options and it is unlikely that Thom will get better.
So now Annabel wants to try and make the time she has left with Thom filled with lovely memories. Her friends have set up a GoFundMe to try and ease the financial strain. I am sharing this story in the hope that some of you will donate to a fundraiser that has been set up for them.
We are so lucky that we have been able to live our ‘California Dream’ and I believe many of you would like to help Annabel & Thom experience a taste of it too. If every member donated $1 the GofundMe target would be surpassed in an instant.
Would certainly give them one less thing to worry about for sure…
Here is the link to donate – or you can open the camera app on your phone and point it at the QR code I created at the bottom of this column.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-amazing-guy-thom-petersons-go-fund-me?
Don’t hesitate to contact me if you get stuck.
There will also be a fundraising event held in November – I will share the details as soon as it is set.
Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions or suggestions or perhaps items you would like to donate to the silent auction they are hoping to host. You can email me at hello@britsin.la
Cheers!
Eileen
